Australia-Korea Foundation funding supports swim safety program in Bonner

A water safety program to train teachers and students to swim to survive has been awarded a $30,000 grant.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Mackenzie-based Craig Tobin Aquatics Pty Ltd was awarded the grant for its Collaborative Water Safety – Swim to Survive Program.

“This grant was awarded through the Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF) and trains teachers and students in Seoul, Busan and within Korea how to swim to survive,” Mr Vasta said.

“This program is run through Lifesaving Korea and was one of 33 recipients of the AKF’s grants program to promote projects in Australia and Korea.”

Mr Vasta said the grant would help the organisation expand on its program which was first launched in 2016 into Korea’s education system.

“This grant will help Craig Tobin Aquatics teach 200 teachers and more than 2000 primary school students in Korea how to swim,” Mr Vasta said.

The Australian Government is committed to promoting people-to-people and institutional linkages between Australia and Korea.

The AKF supports the development of sustainable partnerships between Australian and Korean institutions, professional bodies, non‑governmental organisations and private sector organisations in arts and culture, business, trade, education, and science and technology.

The AKF is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. For more information about the AKF, successful grant recipients and the grants program, visit www.dfat.gov.au/AKF.

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Integration grants to help build stronger, more cohesive communities

Multicultural groups and not-for-profit organisations in Bonner are encouraged to apply for the Fostering Integration Grant Program, with applications now open.

The Morrison Government is providing $2.3 million for community organisations to support the integration of migrants into Australian social, economic and civil life.

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrants Services and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman MP said this round of grants would fund activities that celebrate and recognise Australia’s multicultural communities, increase cultural awareness and help build more socially cohesive communities.

“The program has been refined to optimise opportunities for smaller, grassroots organisations,” Mr Coleman said.

“There is also a focus on key cultural events, which raise awareness of Australia’s multicultural diversity and promote a sense of belonging by bringing people together.

“Activities funded may include cultural events or festivals, programs that help migrants undertake valuable work experience in order to succeed in the workforce, or opportunities to practice English in their local community.”

Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the grants would enhance the important work they do at the local level, recognising that safe communities are built on strong communities.

“Local community organisations have an important role to play in in helping migrants, particularly young people, women and those in regional areas access the workforce and participate more in the community,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Fostering Integration Grants program is about supporting organisations that work at the grassroots level in their community and have a strong understanding of the challenges facing migrants.”

Not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to $60,000 for activities lasting up to 12 months.

Applications for the Fostering Integration Grants close November 5, 2019.

For more information and to apply for the Fostering Integration Grant Program, visit the Community Grants Hub website at www.communitygrants.gov.au

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Local School Community Fund closing soon

Time is running out for schools in Bonner to access funding for new computers, sporting equipment or refurbishments with applications for the Coalition Government’s Local School Community Fund closing soon.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said there was less than one month to go for schools to apply for funding through the $30.2 million Local School Community Fund.

“My electorate of Bonner has been allocated $200,000 in grant funding for projects at local schools,” Mr Vasta said.

“Local schools can apply for grants between $1000 and $20,000 for school projects.

“These projects can be anything that benefit the school community, from installing solar panels, kits for robotics, hydration stations, outdoor play equipment, wellbeing programs or composting and colour coded waste bins as an example.”

Mr Vasta said schools should think about the best way the funding could help their students and school and submit an application before it closed.

Applications to the Local Schools Community Fund are open to eligible government, Catholic and independent schools until 5pm, September 30 2019.

Each proposed project will be independently evaluated by a committee appointed by the Member for Bonner.

Schools can apply through SchoolsHUB – www.schools.education.gov.au/

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Bonner business awarded defence grant

Bonner local business, Skyborne Technologies has been awarded $462,690 by the Morrison Governments Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grant to make their mark in Australia’s Defence industry through the development of their armoured drone- Cereberus.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta says Skyborne Technologies unique combination of Artificial Intelligence and lightweight weaponised drone engineering is the way of Australia’s defence future.

“The Cereberus provides air force level support that does pin-point precision strikes that reduce collateral damage,” Mr Vasta said.

“Combined with artificial intelligence, the Cereberus closes the margin of error to help defence drone operators make accurate decisions under pressure in the line of duty.

“The incredible forward-thinking by the Skyborne Technologies team is bound to have a significant impact on Australia’s defence industry and on the world stage.”

The grant will help Skyborne Technologies further their research into artificial intelligence for strategic targeting planning as well as the development of lightweight unmanned aerial drones engineered for warfare.

“The Morrison government wants to use Australian businesses like Skyborne Technologies to help build up a robust and resilient defence industry that will also contribute to driving economic growth and employment opportunities.”

The next round of the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grants program close on 1 October 2019. Applications can be submitted through the Centre for Defence Industry Capability website at www.business.gov.au/cdic

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Grant awarded to ‘Forwrd’ thinking entrepreneurs

Bonner company Foxo Technology Pty Ltd headed up by local entrepreneur Luke Fletcher has received a $603,000 grant under the Morrison Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme – Accelerating Commercialisation.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Entrepreneurs’ Programme was a flagship program aimed at supporting business growth, innovation and commercialisation.

“This grant will help Foxo commercialise its innovative new project – Foxo – a secure communication and collaboration platform for health professionals,” Mr Vasta said.

“Foxo is a real-time messaging platform that will enable a seamless and secure exchange of clinical information between health professionals using smartphones or desktop.

“This innovative platform will help improve communication, reduce medical errors and overall better patient care.”

Mr Vasta said the grant would support Foxo commercialise through the development of enterprise features, sales and an international marketing strategy.

“We have some amazing people in our community coming up with new and innovative ideas, and to be able to support their business and help take it to the next level makes all the difference,” Mr Vasta said.

“We want to see businesses succeed and I am so pleased our government is supporting Luke and the company Foxo.”

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LYTTON MANUFACTURER RECEIVES FEDERAL GRANT FOR CUTTING-EDGE PRECISION ROBOTIC SYSTEM

Lytton company Advanced Robotic Technology (ART) is one of the successful recipients of a grant provided under the Accelerating Commercialisation element of the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme, Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said today.

ART has developed an advanced robotic structural steel processing system that has the potential to help Australian firms better compete with cheap imported fabricators through lower costs, quicker turnaround and superior accuracy.

Director of ART David White said the grant funding would enable the company to transition from R&D to a production product.

“This grant will help us cover the costs of building and installing a prototype system here at our Brisbane facility,” Mr White said.

“It will also help us complete and transport a display model they we can use for real-world demonstrations in Australia and overseas. This will help us generate leads with companies that are crying out for this kind of product, because we’ll be able to actively demonstrate the efficiency of this system in an industry neutral environment.”

Mr Vasta, who today visited ART with Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said it was great to see a local company receiving government support to develop and build world-class technology.

“This is a world-leading product that will boost productivity and allow workers to move up to higher-skilled jobs,” Mr Vasta said.

Minister Cash said she was pleased to be visiting ART to see how the Government’s funding will assist them to take their ideas to the market.

“The Entrepreneurs’ Programme supports businesses to develop and commercialise ideas that will improve business capability and competitiveness, promote economic growth and create jobs,” Minister Cash said.

Mr White said the government’s support had been invaluable for ART to develop the technology.

“Without the R&D Tax Incentive Scheme, it would not have been viable for us to invest the necessary funds that have been required to develop this level of technology. It’s been pivotal to help us recoup costs, which has in turn encouraged further development,” Mr White said.

“The assistance available through schemes like the Entrepreneurs’ Programme and the R&D Tax Incentive provides a high level of confidence that the Government is backing Australian innovation.”

More information on Accelerating Commercialisation: https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/entrepreneurs-programme/accelerating-commercialisation

More information on the R&D Tax Incentive: https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/research-and-development-tax-incentive

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